Preventative Bi-lat Mastectomy

After various diagnostice tests (mammorgram, MRI w/contrast, needle guided bx) and most recently, lumpectomy, I have been diagnosed with DCIS - multi focal (wide spread) - grade 0 - with A-typ and hyperplasia in my Left breast.  I also am + for receptors and use of Tamoxifin (tamoxifen).  I am currently scheduling a mastectomy and reconstruction of my left breast.    My question:  the  Right breast has indeterminate calcifications (this is how the affected breast started), and although my breast surgeon and oncologist seem to think I should just follow the right breast closely, my gut tells me to have the right breast removed as well (my GYN agrees with me) - still waiting the opinion of the Plastic Surgeon.

[Denise L. Johnson, M.D.]

Do you have a family history of breast cancer in mother, or sisters?

Overall survival will not be improved with a prophylactic mastectomy of the right breast.  

However, I would biopsy with core needle biopsy the calcifications of the right breast before your surgery on the left breast.

[MomMomMaddie]

Thank you Dr. Johnson for responding to my question.

To my knowledge, there is no family history of breast cancer.  My breast history began with my 1st biopsy ( neg ) of the left breast in 1999.  I have dense breasts.  Since then, I've had magnified view mammograms, scinti-mammograms, and last year a BSGI ... all due to calcifications.

One of my reasons for considering the bi-lat mastectomy is the fact that mentally and emotionally I'm ready and accepting of the diagnosis of the left breast and in actuality do not want to go through the months of biopsies and lumpectomies of the right breast.  My surgeon would like to follow the right breast with a diagnostic mammogram in 6 months.

The second reason I have been considering having the right breast removed is due to a strong family history of adult-onset diabetes.  Both my mother and maternal grandmother were insulin dependent and the rest of my family are treating their diabetes with medication.  My brother and I are the only two that have not been diagnosed with DM to date.  

I have worked in a family practice office for the past 15 yrs., and I know the secondary effects of diabetes such as cardiovascular, renal and circulatory disease.

Currently I am being treated for hypertension and hyperlipidemia ... and I know the state of my health right now ... I don't know what my health condition would be in the furture.

I appreciate your comments,  thank you.

Donna